2025 Rossignol Forza 40

The 2025 Rossignol Forza 40 is an easygoing cruiser that is happiest on groomed and smooth surfaces. The Forza line in general takes up the carving performance quite a bit with a dramatic sidecut and approachable construction. The whole thing with the naming of these skis is very interesting as the number refers to the intended edge angle of the ski rather than a radius or a width. In this light, the 40 is on the less aggressive side of the spectrum with the intention of being used as more of an intermediate ski—one that’s fine with shallower edge angles and more skidded turns. The shape and the construction both lend to this intent. Since the 40 filters down from the more powerful skis in the line, it’s more approachable and accessible for skiers looking to perfect the art of the carved turn rather than a ski for an accomplished on-piste skier who is looking for top-tier performance.

Built with a poplar wood core, the Forza 40 has some nice energy to it—the poplar does a nice job at balancing light weight and pep to make for a fun-loving ski experience. The topsheet of the ski is on the firm and dense side of the spectrum, with Rossignol referring to it as a Hardtop. You can definitely feel that this topsheet has some structure to it and contributes to the overall stiffness and precision of the ski. Since the topsheet is the first point of contact for your boot and binding system, the stiffer it is, the more it directly transmits energy to the snow. We also get a carbon beam in the central portion of the ski that adds torsional stiffness underfoot for increased edge grip. Even with the integrated binding plate, the ski is on the lighter side, with the 171 sitting on the scale at 1700 grams per ski. This makes it highly mobile and agile from a build perspective, but it also leans on a front side shape to make it reactive and angular.

At 75 mm underfoot, the Forza 40 is narrow enough for the firmest of snows, but also has a bit of width for increased balance and a smoother overall finish. The bigger story with the Forza series in general, and with this 40, is the larger drop in width from tip to tail than other on-piste skis. With measurements of 128/75/111 in the 171, the ski drops 17 mm from tip to tail. This leads to a shorter arc of 14-meters while making it very precise in the start phase. You can steer it very effectively due to the narrower tail, but the sidecut overall is still quite dramatic. While Rossignol calls this ski Piste Rockered, that’s basically code for full camber. There’s not much to talk about when it comes to rocker, rather the camber is high and long, delivering smooth and consistent edge grip from tip to tail. There’s also no taper here, so the ski hooks in instantly and produces a long effective edge for pure on-piste performance.

This Rossignol Forza 40 is an ideal choice for an intermediate skier who’s looking to progress in the realm of carving turns. It operates well at slower to medium speeds and in the mid-range of arc shapes due to that 14-meter radius. With a lighter weight and a stiffer flex, this ski is precise and responsive for having such great value built in, allowing a multitude of skiers with different goals and intentions the ability to purchase their first set of skis.